Ariel Story Quest Act 1
Chapter: Irae Coeli
Act I: Enforced in Flame
Requirements: 1 story key, Prologue Act III: Song of the Dragon and Freedom, Amber Chapter I: Wind, Courage, and Wings, Eula Chapter I: The Spindrift Shall Never Return to the Sea
While exploring one day, you come across a group of Treasure Hoarders near Wolvendom. They attack you on sight.
Defeat the Treasure Hoarders.
As you are about to finish the battle, a flurry of arrows flies in from afar, taking out the remaining Hoarders. Outrider Amber appears, bow in hand.
Amber: Traveler! I wasn't expecting to meet you here.
Paimon: Amber! What are you doing here?
Amber, gesturing with her loaded bow: It's to do with these guys.
Hoarder: We surrender, we surrender!
Paimon: Oh? What are they doing here, then?
Amber: Treasure Hoarder activity has been unusually high recently, and we've gotten word that Raptor's been active recently.
Paimon: Raptor? Wait, that sounds familiar.
Aether (choice): Didn't we put him in prison?/Who?
Amber: That's right. Unfortunately, some of his buddies sneaked him out of prison a few days ago./Raptor, the guy we captured when you were getting your gliding license, remember? He was broken out by his buddies recently.
Amber: They've never been so bold before, breaking into Mondstat directly.
Amber: So, what are you guys up to?
Hoarder: Nothing, nothing! We were just minding our own business!
Paimon: What? You attacked us!
Hoarder: It was self-defense! I swear, we're not planning anything!
Paimon: You're always up to something.
Amber: Do you really think we'll believe that? We know you're planning something big. We know when it's happening. Tell us!
Hoarder: Hahaha! If you really know when we're going to move, then you'll know it's too late!
Paimon: Well, he just admitted that the Treasure Hoarders are planning something.
Aether: That doesn't help us, though.
Amber: It looks like we aren't getting anything from the guys. Let's bring them back to Mondstat. We'll inform Jean there.
Paimon: Jean? Wow, this must be big.
Amber: That's what we think too. Come on, let's go.
You and Amber escort the captured Treasure Hoarders toward Mondstat.
Upon nearing the city, you come across a large number of Treasure Hoarders at the gate of the city. Eula and several other Knights of Favonious stand against them. As you watch, they attack.
Amber: Oh no! Look!
Paimon: Quickly, we must help them!
Defeat the Treasure Hoarders.
Paimon: Well, that's that taken care of.
Eula: Hmph. A foolish attempt.
Eula: Still, they were very quick to flee. I believe that their plan is still not complete.
Paimon: What do you think they're planning?
Eula: I don't know. The only thing they could be after is...
Eula: The Holy Lyre!
Paimon: What?
Eula: Follow me, quickly.
Follow Eula to the Knights of Favonious Headquarters.
Pamon; Wait, why would the Lyre be here? Isn't it kept in the Cathedral?
Eula: Yes, that's where it's usually stored. However, after the recent theft of it from the basement, it was renovated to improve security. The Lyre was supposed to be kept in our library for safekeeping for the time being.
Eula: Still, I never got any notice that the transfer was successful. Let's check with Lisa.
Enter the Library.
Lisa: Oh, hello, EUla. And my cutie and Paimon, too. What brings you here at this time of day?
Eula: Lisa, have you received the Holy Lyre?
Lisa: I'm afraid not. I assumed that the delivery was delayed, but by the look of things...
Eula: Thank you, Lisa.
Eula: I'll need to investigate.
Paimon: We'll help too.
Eula: Thank you. First, we need to track down Raptor. Actually, I know someone who can do that.
Paimon: Who is it?
Eula: You'll see. Come, follow me.
Follow Eula to the Cathedral.
Paimon: Wait, we're going to the Cathedral?
Eula: That's right. She works there.
Paimon: We're looking for a sister of the church? How's that going to help us?
Eula: You'll see.
Paimon: Well, at least it won't take much to convince her to go after the Holy Lyre. Still, Paimon wonders, why a sister?
Eula: We're here. Let's go in.
Enter the Cathedral.
Barbara: Hello, Eula, Traveler, Paimon. What can I do for you today?
Eula: We're looking for Ariel. It's urgent.
Barbara: Oh, I'll fetch her for you.
Barbara leaves.
Paimon: Ariel? Who's that?
Eula: She's officially a sister of the church. She doesn't really do public stuff, but I'm sure she'll be a great help.
Paimon: How are you so sure?
Eula: Ariel was the Captain of Reconnaissance before me. Her bladework is excellent, and she is skilled in tracking.
Eula: She's also very... passionate about her work.
Barbara returns with Ariel.
Ariel: Eula. Why have you called me?
Eula: Greetings, Ariel. There's something we need to tell you.
Paimon: Should we tell Barbara as well?
Eula: Perhaps it's best if she didn't know.
Traveler: I agree./No, we should let her know.
Paimon: Alright then./Are you sure?
Barbara: What's this about?
Ariel: Enough with this secrecy. Speak, now!
Paimon: Eek!
Eula: The Holy Lyre has been stolen by Treasure Hoarders.
Ariel: They did what?! Blasphemy! Hersey! Who dares?
Barbara: What? Surely we would have noticed.
Eula: Their leader, Raptor. He was a prisoner who escaped. We think he's the one behind all this. The Knights are trying to track him down, but...
Ariel: I see. Fear not. I shall hunt them down and make them regret daring to desecrate divine treasures. They will face holy retribution the likes of -
Ariel: Ahem. Where does he hide?
Eula: Springvale. We believe that he has a hidden base there, but we could never find it.
Ariel: Then I shall burn him out of his lair. Do not worry about the Lyre; I will ensure its safety Send someone to retrieve this Raptor, or what's left of him.
Ariel leaves.
Eula: Leaving without proper decorum. Hmph, another cause for vengeance.
Paimon: She's a sister of the church? She's scary.
Barbara: She sure is. The last and only time we let her do the prayers, Ariel scared many people away.
Barbara: But I can assure you of her devotion. You won't find anyone else more dedicated to Lord Barbatos.
Eula: Ariel can be difficult to deal with, true. She is skilled and you can be sure that she'll get the job done.
Eula: Especially when it concerns Barbatos. Still, Traveler, I need you to follow her to Springvale.
Paimon: Why's that?
Barbara: To keep her in check.
Eula: She's right. As you can tell, Ariel will not restrain herself against the 'heretics'. You must hold her back, and ensure that Raptor is captured to answer for his crimes.
Eula: Go. Before she razes Mondstat to the ground.
Paimon: Right. Come on, to Springvale!
Go to Springvale.
Allen: Traveler! Perfect timing!
Paimon: What is it?
Allen: Someone came by just now. She said that she was looking for a guy named... Raptor?
Allen: Something about heretics and burning. Honestly, I didn't catch much.
Allen: Man, she was terrifying. Traveler, can you go after her? Please stop her from burning down the forest.
Paimon: Wow, this guy's scared stiff. Now Paimon is worried too.
Aether: Where did she go?
Allen: That way. Just follow the fire.
Follow the tracks and find Ariel.
Paimon: There she is.
Ariel: It's you.
Ariel: I know where Raptor hides.
Ariel: Come. It is time for him to face judgment.
Paimon: Wait! Please go easy on him!
Ariel: Go easy? There will be no mercy for those who steal from the gods. I will deliver his punishment as I see fit.
Ariel: Follow me if you wish to witness it. It matters little to me.
Ariel leaves.
Paimon: She's gone. Quickly, let's catch up to her.
Cutscene
You and Ariel barge into the Treasure Hoarder camp, where Raptor and his friends wait. They jump to attention and retrieve their weapons, but Ariel ignores them. Her attention is focused on the Holy Lyre, which rests on a table. It is damaged; Venti's illusion must have worn off. You and Paimon also notice it.
Paimon: Uh oh.
Ariel: FOOLS! YOU DARE VIOLATE THE LEGACY OF THE GODS?!
In the blink of an eye, Ariel retrieves the damaged Lyre. Holding it tightly with one hand, she summons her Claymore in her other and infuses it with blazing Pyro energy.
Ariel: THERE WILL BE NO MERCY FOR BLASPHEMERS. BURN UNDER THE LIGHT OF THE SUN!
Ariel points her Claymore to the sky, and immense light shines down. A massive, burning Claymore materializes, suspended in the air and pointed downward. Eyes blazing, she moves to bring it crashing down. It would undoubtedly annihilate the entire camp.
Raptor: We're sorry! We didn't mean it!
Treasure Hoarder: Please forgive us!
Paimon: What the heck? Is she trying to kill us all?
Raptor: Please stop! We won't steal again, we swear!
Paimon: Traveler, quick! Stop her before we all die!
Aether: Ariel, stop! What are you doing?
Ariel: None who defy the divine shall be spared my wrath.
Ariel: Leave now, Honorary Knight, lest you too suffer the flame.
Ariel ignores the Hoarders' pleas for her to stop and brings the flaming sword crashing down. You react, leaping beneath it and raising a palm. Using the power of Anemo, you create a windstorm, aimed upward to counter the flames. The Anemo energy swirls with the Pyro, redirecting the condensed energy into a large dome. The area around the camp is incinerated, but no one is harmed. The Hoarders cower as Ariel turns to you.
Ariel: If you had not been blessed by Lord Barbatos himself, I would strike you down where you stand.
Ariel: Speak! Whyfor do you shield these sinners?
Paimon: We can't just kill them! Sure, they stole the Lyre, so let's bring them back to Mondstat!
Aether: Let the law handle them.
Raptor: Yes, we'll turn ourselves in. We're sorry!
Ariel: Silence, sinner.
Ariel: The law cannot account for a sin of such magnitude. The gods demand retribution. I will carry out their will.
Ariel: Stand aside, traveler. I do not wish to hurt a chosen of Anemo.
Paimon: Wait! They didn't damage it!
Paimon: It was someone else.
Ariel: Impossible. I inspected it when I returned a few days ago.
Raptor: Yes, we didn't break it! We were just looking at it when it magically turned damaged.
Paimon: It was an illusion! We know who did it.
Paimon: Besides, do you really think that some Treasure Hoarders can break the Holy Lyre?
Ariel: Is that so?
Ariel: Perhaps you speak true. It would indeed be difficult for such ruffians to damage such an artifact.
Ariel: Speak, then. Who shall I seek? Who would face judgment?
Aether: Are you sure we should tell her?
Paimon: Well, it's better than having an entire camp of dead Treasure Hoarders who don't deserve it.
Paimon: Hey, maybe -
Ariel: Enough. Speak, now!
Paimon: Eek! He's a bard, called Venti.
Ariel: A bard? Why would he have the Holy Lyre? I must investigate this.
Ariel: Come. Let us bring these Treasure Hoarders back to Mondstat first. After that, I shall uncover the truth behind the Holy Lyre's damage.
Ariel: Then judgment shall come to those who deface the legacy of the gods.
You follow Ariel and bring the captured Treasure Hoarders back to Mondstat.
Jean: Thank you for your help. We'll take care of things from here.
Eula: This time, they shall not escape. If you even try anything, you will face my vengeance. Mark my words!
Raptor: We'll behave, I promise!
Eula brings Raptor and the other Hoarders away.
Jean: Hello, Ariel. If I may ask, why are you involved? Ever since you left the Knights, you seemed happy to leave these issues to us.
Ariel: Indeed. This issue, however, demanded my personal attention.
Ariel holds up the damaged Holy Lyre.
Ariel: They dared steal from the gods, and I cannot stand idly by while they deface their legacy.
Ariel: I originally believed that they had managed to damage this Lyre, although now I realize that it is unlikely.
Ariel: Aether has informed me that a bard by the name of Venti is to blame. Can you verify this claim, Acting Grandmaster?
Jean: Venti? Then... Well, he didn't do it personally. The Holy Lyre was damaged by an Abyss Mage when he was using it.
Ariel: I see. Very well. I will be leaving now, Acting Grandmaster.
Jean: Thank you again for your help, Ariel.
Ariel leaves.
Jean: Honorary Knight, why is the Lyre damaged? Did the illusion fail?
Paimon: Yup. Unfortunately for us, Ariel seems really angry about it.
Jean: Yes, she's very particular about the divine. I guess that's why she left.
Paimon: Oh, was she a part of the Knights of Favonious before?
Jean: That's right. She was the Captain of the Reconnaissance company before Eula, actually.
Paimon: A captain? Wow, then why'd she quit? Was it to do with the gods and stuff?
Jean: Yes, it has to do with her Vision. She believes that the gods saved her in a time of need, so she's now with the Church.
Jean: Most people don't know this. I think they're too scared to ask.
Paimon: Yeah, Ariel is really scary sometimes.
Jean: She is dependable, however. As long as you are careful with what you say about Barbatos around her, you should be fine.
Jean: Anyway, I believe that she's heading out to find Venti now. Do you mind keeping an eye on her?
Jean: Who knows how she'll react when she finds out Venti's true identity.
Paimon: Finding out that the Tone-deaf bard is the god you've been devoted to for all your life? Yikes, let's go find her.
Look for Ariel and Venti at Angel's Share.
Paimon: Look! There they are. Uh oh, looks like Venti is in trouble.
Approach Ariel and Venti.
Venti: Aether! You've arrived just in time! Quick, save me from this Sister.
Ariel: Honorary Knight. Do not defend him.
Ariel: Answer me, bard. How did you get possession of the Holy Lyre Der Himmel?
Ariel: There is something strange about you. Who are you, exactly? Speak!
Venti: I'm just a humble bard, my lady. Perhaps you have the wrong person?
Aether: We should tell her.
Venti: Ah, so be it. Alright, Ariel, allow me to explain. But first, let's go somewhere quieter.
Strong winds surge unexpectedly. You are forced to shut your eyes. You get a feeling of floating and when you open your eyes again, the four of you are standing underneath the great tree of Windrise.
Ariel: This is...
Ariel: You, bard... You are Lord Barbatos, the Anemo Archon?!
Venti: Hehe, surprised? Don't tell anyone else about it, alright?
Ariel: I had long suspected that you were no ordinary bard, but...
Paimon: Are you okay, Ariel?
Ariel: This is... I...
Venti: Cat got your tongue?
Ariel: But why?
Venti: Why what?
Ariel: Why pretend to be a mortal? Why not return to Mondstadt as the Anemo Archon?
Venti: And do what? The people of Mondstadt have a stable government. You people have gotten by perfectly fine without the Anemo Archon. Let Barbatos rest.
Ariel: ...
Venti: As for your other question... Well, being a bard is kind of fun. I get to chill out, sing all day, and enjoy sweet wine. What more could I ask for? But seriously, don't tell anyone.
Ariel: I see. As you wish, Lord Barbatos.
Venti: Alright. That has to stop. Please, call me Venti. I'm just a bard, the best in Teyvat.
Ariel: One last question, then, Venti. What do you think of my behavior? Am I... Overzealous?
Venti: Hmm. What do you think, Aether?
Paimon: Paimon thinks that you mean well, Ariel. But you do, well, come off a bit strong at times. Maybe dial it back?
Ariel: Thank you, Paimon. I will keep that in mind. But you were not who I asked.
Venti: Barbatos is the God of Freedom, Ariel. Just as people are free to criticize my lack of intervention, so too are you free to enforce your thoughts. The God of Freedom will not condemn nor condone your actions.
Ariel: ...And what do you think, Venti?
Venti: Ah! Asking for the opinion of a lowly bard such as myself? I'm honored!
Venti: Well, personally, I admire your passion. Still, you don't know everything. Don't be so quick to judge those who you feel are guilty.
Venti: I know that you sought me to, ahem, punish me for my transgressions. And you almost killed those Treasure Hoarders even though they had nothing to do with the Lyre's damage.
Venti: Do you understand, Ariel? My advice is to listen more. Look around more carefully. Who knows what you might find.
Venti: Oh, and don't worry about the Lyre. I'll have it fixed and returned to the Sisters. I know how much you like that thing.
Ariel: 'That thing' is a priceless artifact... but I suppose you know that better than anyone else. Very well. And thank you.
Ariel: Your guidance is much appreciated, Venti. I shall have to repay you someday.
Venti: There really is no need to-
Ariel: I happen to have some bottles of Dandelion Wine. Perhaps you would like to have them.
Venti: Would I? I'll take you up on your exceedingly generous offer, kind lady.
Paimon: And there he goes again.
Ariel: Thank you, too, traveler. Farewell, for now. If you need my help, you know where to find me.
Ariel leaves.
Paimon: Well, there she goes. What do you think, Venti?
Venti: I think that Ariel is a wonderful, generous person.
Paimon: Ugh, is the wine the only thing you can think of? Paimon was scared that she would lose her temper and attack you!
Venti: Don't let her demeanor fool you, Paimon. I could tell that she has her own sense of justice. She wouldn't attack those that she believes are innocent.
Paimon: Alright. Maybe we could check on her.
Venti: Well, if you do that, make sure that she remembers the wine!
Quest complete.
(optional) Find Ariel near the Cathedral.
Ariel: Greetings, Traveler.
Aether: How are you holding up?
Ariel: I have much to think about.
Ariel: For a while now, my pride had been my devotion - to Lord Barbatos and the divine.
Ariel: But Barbatos does not need my help, just like how Mondstadt does not need him. I feel a little lost.
Ariel: But I know one thing. Absent Archon or not, there will always be those who sin and plot. I will bring them to justice.
Ariel: The sinners shall be judged fully, not brazenly. And their sentence will be enforced. None shall escape the flame.